The Guyana-based Golden Jaguars had their first training match against a West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Select 11 on Friday last as preparations intensify for Guyana’s finals qualifier of the CONCACAF Nations League match against Belize on March 23 in Guyana.
The match, held at the Guyana Football Federation’s National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara, was the first in a series against Regional Member Associations (RMA) teams to aid the selection process and match readiness of the squad.
In a post-match comment, Golden Jaguars’ Head Coach Michael Johnson said he was satisfied with the performance of the team: “Today’s game was good preparation. It was a tough opposition, particularly in the second half. We just kept going away but it was great to see the players over the course of 90 minutes in a competitive fixture against a combined WDFA side. I thought we moved the ball really well and created lots of opportunities in the first half especially.
Sheldon Holder was a threat, Trayon Bobb with speed on the outside was good and I think Leo- Orin (Lovell) took up some good positions in the middle of the park.”
“All in all, it was a really good exercise to see the players for 90 minutes on the surface,” said Johnson. “I’ve got to see players I have not seen previous to this training camp. So, it was one of success and it has given me a lot of food to take home.”
Guyana plays Belize on March 23 in Guyana in a must-win encounter for Guyana to gain a chance at qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The CONCACAF Gold Cup is the Region’s official national team championship and features clubs from Central and North America and the Caribbean. A victory against Belize will give Guyana its first chance at this prestigious biennial event.